Monument to the People’s Heroes 🇨🇳

Located in the southern part of Beijing's iconic Tiananmen Square, right in front of the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the Monument to the People's Heroes stands as a national symbol honoring martyrs of revolutionary struggles during the 19th and 20th centuries. Designed by architect Liang Sicheng, his wife Lin Huiyin, and civil engineer Chen Zhide, this impressive ten-story obelisk reaches 37.94 meters high and is constructed from 13,000 pieces of granite and alabaster.

When you visit, you will stand before a recognized national cultural heritage site that embodies modern Chinese history. As you walk around the pedestal, you can examine eight large and two small detailed bas-reliefs.

Reading them clockwise starting from the east allows you to follow pivotal historical moments in chronological order, including the Destruction of Opium at Humen, the May Fourth Movement, and the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign. On the front of the center stone, taken from Laoshan Mountain, you can view the gilded inscription handwritten by Mao Zedong declaring 'Eternal glory to the people's heroes!' alongside an extensive back inscription crafted with Premier Zhou Enlai.

What to see at Monument to the People's Heroes

• Ten-story obelisk standing 37.94 meters tall built from granite and alabaster
• Eight large bas-reliefs depicting major episodes of modern Chinese history
• Front inscription handwritten by Mao Zedong reading 'Eternal glory to the people's heroes!'
• Back epitaph inscription written by Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai
• Prominent design elements created by famed architects Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin

Visiting tips

Examine the pedestal's bas-reliefs in a clockwise direction starting from the east side to view the historical events depicted in chronological order.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Monument to the People's Heroes is easy to reach on Beijing’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Forbidden City and Summer Palace. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Beijing travel guide.